Abstract
Patent law requires the full, clear, and concise disclosure of an invention in exchange for the protection of the intellectual property. This paper presents a theoretical analysis of the strategic motives to limit knowledge disclosure in patents and how this affects follow-on innovation. Using USPTO patent examination data we use Office actions associated with insufficient disclosure to investigate whether and how the modification of a patent specification in the course of examination impacts follow-on innovation. We find that inventors Ægame the systemÆ using strategic non-disclosure as a means to reduce follow-on innovation.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication date | 2022 |
| Number of pages | 25 |
| Publication status | Published - 2022 |
| Event | DRUID22 Conference - Copenhagen Business School, Frederiksberg, Denmark Duration: 13 Jun 2022 → 15 Jun 2022 Conference number: 43 https://conference.druid.dk/Druid/index.xhtml?confId=64 |
Conference
| Conference | DRUID22 Conference |
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| Number | 43 |
| Location | Copenhagen Business School |
| Country/Territory | Denmark |
| City | Frederiksberg |
| Period | 13/06/2022 → 15/06/2022 |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- Patent disclosure
- Patent examination
- Follow-on innovation